While stationed as a lone sentry at a checkpoint in Afghanistan's Helmand province on September 17, Pun fended off an attack by up to 30 Taliban fighters.

"There were many Taliban around me," Pun said in an interview with British Forces News. "I thought they are definitely going to kill me. ... I thought before they kill me I have to kill some of them."

During the 15-minute battle, PunÂ fired more than 400 rounds of ammunition, detonated 17 grenades and a mine and even threw his gun tripod at a Taliban fighter climbing toward his position, according to British Forces News.

"He was just about to climb up there and I hit (him) with my tripod and he fell down again," Pun told British Forces News.

Pun's actions saved the lives of three fellow soldiers at the checkpoint and were the "bravest seen in his battalion over two hard tours in Afghanistan," according to his medal citation.

Pun was not wounded in the firefight.

â€śThat he survived unscathed is simply incredible," his medal citation says. â€śThroughout Dipâ€™s actions he was under almost constant intense fire. Dipâ€™s courage and gallantry were simply astonishing."

Pun, 31, joined the British military in 2000 and also has served in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Like other Gurkhas, Pun is from Nepal. The Gurkhas were incorporated into British forces after their fighting skill impressed the opposition British during the Nepal Wars of 1814 to 1816. As part of the peace treaty ending that conflict, Gurkhas were admitted into East India Company's army and then into the British military.

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Nimrod

Well ! Every human is afraid... has fears... but the brave are able to transcend that fear in times of need and act decisively...and that makes all the difference. For the record, it was for exemplary show of the art of warfare and valour that the British erected a memorial for their enemy Bal Bhadra and his fellow soldiers at Nalapani (also called the 'graveyard of generals' Anglo- Gurkha War 1814-15).It was also the fact that 200 Gorkha soldiers had successfully fought and defeated 2000 native soldiers during that same war that led General Octerlony to ask for Gorkha recruitment in the British forces. What then ! Not everything seems to change with time...

This act of bravery displayed by Actg Sgt Dip Prasad Pun has re affirmed my faith in Gorkha soldiers pan world.They are definitely class apart while they are in the profession of arms.My heartiest congratulations to Dip and his Regiment.Very well done indeed Jai Gorakh.

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